Johnny Depp's Thin Man Reboot Trades Writer David Koepp For Billy Ray

While Disney decides what to do with Gore Verbinskiís pricey Lone Ranger production, Warner Bros. is moving ahead with a Johnny Depp-led Thin Man reboot with Chicago director Rob Marshall at the helm. And while Jurassic Park scribe David Koepp was hired months ago to take a pass at a screenplay, The Hollywood Reporter now says he has been replaced by Billy Ray.

The writer-director of Shattered Glass and Breach will tackle an adaptation of the Dashiell Hammett novels, which featured married couple Nick and Nora Charles as they solved mysteries in their free time. The initial Thin Man, which starred William Powell and Myrna Loy, spawned five sequels and a television series.

THR says Koeppís vision for the remake ďdidnít line up with Marshallís,Ē so Ray has the job. Depp is producing what has become a priority picture at the studio, but as with any film attached to Depp, we have to wonder when heíll shoot. We just mentioned his interest in playing Dr. Seuss for a live-action biopic. Verbinskiís Ranger waits in the wings. And a fifth Pirates remains a possibility, according to rumors.

Ray, meanwhile, has two additional projects on his plate, according to the trade. Heís writing Peter Pan Begins for Columbia (if that anything like Nolanís dark Batman Begins?), and a Somali pirates drama titled A Captainís Duty that Tom Hanks has expressed interest in. While Iím thrilled that writers of the caliber of Koepp and Ray are taking shots at Thin Man, I really need to know who Warner will get to play Nora opposite Deppís boozy Nick. And are there Schnauzers at the ready?